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Alba Soler captures timeless portraits with the OCF Beauty Dish

Ever since Alba Soler started to photograph, she has been experimenting with light shaping. Aiming for, and achieving, a crispy beauty light that captivates the eyes of the viewer. Already an accustomed user of the classic Profoto Softlight Reflector, Alba set out to try the new OCF Beauty Dish.

Specialized in shooting children portraiture on-location, Alba needs to be able to move around and being flexible. This means that even though Alba plans her setups well ahead, there always have to be room for improvisation.

“Children move, a lot,“ Alba says. “It makes no sense to me to prepare a lighting set up that is not able to move quickly as the inspiration, the child and the flow goes.”

Using the Profoto B2 Off-Camera Flash with an OCF Beauty Dish White she could pose the model independently of the ambient light, still lighting her face properly. She set the flash a bit on the side and above of the model, creating a favorable light.

“The new OCF Beauty Dish has the same quality of light as the classic Softlight Reflector. The only difference is that it is more practical to bring on-location. It is easy to transport when it is folded, and it is easy to carry once assembled. That is very important for me as I’m changing places all the time during the photoshoot.”

“My main goal is to tell timeless stories where you can feel the magic in them, but still being able to relate with the subject. The aesthetic is creamy yet crispy, whimsical and, at the same time, realistic.”

The image has to convey a story the beholder can believe in, Alba explains, and therefore the light has to be believable. This does not necessary mean that the light has to be subtle. Light can have strong presence in the picture, as long as is justified. That is one of the reasons Alba prefers the OCF Beauty Dish.

“Despite of its name it can be very versatile. I use the OCF Beauty Dish White for an even, creamy light. With the OCF Beauty Dish Silver I focus the light on the subject for dramatic scenes.”

Alba encourages everyone that considering shooting with the OCF Beauty Dish to enjoy the quality of light it creates in the skin of the subject, when shooting a close up.

“But don’t stop there, experiment with it, take advantage of its light complexion and hide it everywhere!”